One-line answer: The line printed as 4мм² PVT12A-01-018 UL 1000V AWG12 is a North-American UL photovoltaic DC single-core cable (UL4703 PV Wire) — 4мм² (4 square millimetres) equals 12 AWG, UL refers to UL4703 certification, and 1000V is the DC1000V rating; PVT12A-01-018 is a factory internal part number / customer code, not a UL standard model, and will not appear on the UL certificate. It is mainly used in North America and CIS / Russian-speaking photovoltaic DC-side projects.
Further reading: H1Z2Z2-K European PV cable (EN 50618) guide · EN 50618 vs IEC 62930 selection guide · CPR Dca-s1,d2,a1 fire-class breakdown
1. What Is It? (Definition + Quotable Sentence)
Quotable sentence: 4мм² PVT12A-01-018 UL 1000V AWG12 is a single-core, tinned stranded copper, XLPO irradiated PV DC cable built to UL4703, rated DC1000V, used for the DC side between PV modules and combiner boxes.
It solves a real problem: in North American (NEC) and CIS / Russian-speaking PV projects, module stringing and combiner connections need a dedicated conductor that withstands DC high voltage, outdoor UV and thermal cycling. The long print string on the jacket is a mix of "trade-line marking + factory part number + North-American certification" — you have to split it apart so customers and peers don't misread it.
2. Segment-by-Segment Breakdown (4мм² PVT12A-01-018 UL 1000V AWG12)
| Segment | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4мм² | Nominal conductor area 4 mm² | CIS clients often write "square millimetre" as мм²; equals 12 AWG |
| PVT12A-01-018 | Factory internal part / project code | Not an international standard model; only a version code for that 12AWG PV cable; absent from UL certificates |
| UL | UL certification | PV cable standard is generally UL4703 (PV Wire), the North-American PV DC cable standard |
| 1000V | Rated DC voltage | DC 1000V (a DC2000V UL4703 upgrade also exists in North America) |
| AWG12 | American Wire Gauge 12 | Same cable expressed two ways; EU/US projects often print both mm² + AWG |
Key point: only UL / 1000V / AWG12 are standard information; PVT12A-01-018 is the factory's own code. When a client verifies the certificate, they can only look up "UL4703 + 12AWG" — the part number will not be found.
3. Core Specifications
| Parameter | 4мм² / AWG12 UL4703 PV Wire |
|---|---|
| Conductor | Tinned stranded copper (Class 5 flexible) |
| Insulation / Jacket | Irradiated cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO), halogen-free, flame-retardant, UV-resistant |
| Rated voltage | DC 1000V (DC 2000V version optional) |
| Gauge / area | 12 AWG ≈ 4 mm² |
| Weathering | UV-resistant, ozone-resistant, long-term outdoor exposure |
| Typical use | PV DC side: module → combiner box |
| Markets | North America, CIS / Russian-speaking (Armenia, Kazakhstan, etc.) |
Note: UL4703 is UL's (Underwriters Laboratories) "Photovoltaic Wire" safety standard, used with the NEC (US National Electrical Code). Conductor resistance must be provided per the UL4703 12AWG values — do not substitute EN 50618 H1Z2Z2-K or GB 4mm² resistance figures.
4. vs H1Z2Z2-K / PV1-F (Two Different Standard Systems)
| Dimension | UL4703 PV Wire (this article) | H1Z2Z2-K (EN 50618 EU) | PV1-F (TÜV 2 PfG 1169 legacy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard system | UL4703 (North America NEC) | EN 50618 (CENELEC EU) | TÜV legacy spec |
| Gauge marking | AWG (e.g. 12AWG) | mm² (e.g. 4/6/10 mm²) | mm² |
| Certification | UL listing | TÜV + CPR fire class | TÜV listing |
| Rated voltage | DC 1000V / 2000V | 1.0/1.0 kV AC; 1.5 kV DC | 1.0/1.0 kV AC; 1.8 kV DC |
| Certificate interchangeable | ❌ No | ❌ No | Similar to H1Z2Z2-K but different naming |
The three are close in material (halogen-free XLPO) and weathering, differing mainly in standard system and certification naming. One production line often meets both UL4703 and EN 50618, but you must label per the target market — certificates are not interchangeable.
5. High-Frequency Export Pitfalls
- AWG12 ≈ 4mm², but DC resistance is not identical to GB 4mm². For voltage-drop calculations, provide the UL4703 12AWG resistance values; do not substitute H1Z2Z2-K or GB 4mm² figures, or the drop and ampacity will be wrong.
- PVT12A-01-018 is only a factory part number — it will not appear on the certificate. When clients verify the UL certificate, they can only look up "UL4703 + 12AWG"; if they search the part number on UL or a lab database, it returns nothing and erodes trust.
- Confirm the voltage grade. This is DC1000V; many new North-American projects now require DC2000V UL4703 — verify the project's required voltage grade before shipping to avoid sending the wrong version.
- CIS clients mix Cyrillic and Latin in markings.
4мм²is common; quotes and labels must render Cyrillic correctly to avoid mojibake or misreading the conductor size.
6. Common Misconceptions
Misconception 1: PVT12A-01-018 is a UL model I can look up on UL. Wrong. It is a factory internal part number; the UL certificate only shows UL4703 and 12AWG. Search the spec, not the part number.
Misconception 2: AWG12 is just GB 4mm², parameters are interchangeable. Wrong. The nominal areas are close, but conductor construction, DC resistance and ampacity reference standards differ; cross-border drop / ampacity calculations must use the matching standard's values.
Misconception 3: UL4703 and H1Z2Z2-K are the same cable, just swap the certificate. Wrong. They belong to different standard systems (North America NEC vs EU EN); certification marks and compliance paths differ and are not interchangeable — issue separate certificates per destination.
Misconception 4: The DC1000V version fits all North-American projects. Wrong. Some new North-American projects require DC2000V UL4703; confirm the project voltage grade before shipping.
7. Applicable Markets & Scenarios
- North America (US / Canada): UL4703 + NEC is the primary market; AWG gauge + UL listing is mandatory.
- CIS / Russian-speaking: Armenia, Kazakhstan, etc. — clients often quote with
4мм²+ part number; North-American or international certification is acceptable. - Non-North-American markets: Europe uses H1Z2Z2-K (EN 50618) / IEC 62930; UL4703 cannot be used to enter the EU.
- Not suitable: permanent indoor wiring in the EU (needs CPR fire class), or exporting to Europe under the H1Z2Z2-K name.
FAQ
Q1: What is 4мм² PVT12A-01-018 UL 1000V AWG12? A: It is a UL4703 North-American PV DC single-core cable (PV Wire). 4мм² (4 square millimetres) equals 12AWG; PVT12A-01-018 is a factory internal part number, not a UL standard model; UL certified, rated DC1000V, tinned copper flexible conductor, XLPO irradiated material, UV-resistant for outdoor use; suited to North America and CIS / Russian-speaking PV projects, and belongs to a different standard system from the EU H1Z2Z2-K — certificates are not interchangeable.
Q2: Is PVT12A-01-018 a UL standard model I can find on UL's website? A: No. PVT12A-01-018 is a factory internal part / customer project code and will not appear on the UL certificate. Clients should verify by "UL4703 + 12AWG", not by the part number.
Q3: Can AWG12 and 4mm² be used interchangeably? A: The nominal areas are close (12AWG ≈ 4mm²), but DC resistance and ampacity reference standards differ. For voltage-drop or ampacity calculations use the UL4703 12AWG values; do not substitute EU or GB 4mm² figures.
Q4: What is the difference between UL4703 PV Wire and EU H1Z2Z2-K? A: UL4703 belongs to the North-American NEC system, using AWG gauge and UL listing; H1Z2Z2-K belongs to the EU EN 50618 standard, using mm² gauge, TÜV listing and a CPR fire class. Material and weathering are close, but the standard system and certification naming differ and certificates are not interchangeable.
Q5: Can this DC1000V version be used in North-American DC2000V projects? A: Not directly. This version is rated DC1000V; some new North-American projects require the DC2000V UL4703 version — confirm the project's required voltage grade before shipping to avoid sending the wrong version.
Need a UL4703 / AWG12 PV cable datasheet or volume quote? Connect with a verified production line → PV Cable Inquiry
